Hotel Industry News

PhocusWire's in-depth coverage of the hotel sector, featuring news, analysis, interviews, research and more on B&Bs, hotels, guesthouses and other property types.

The hotel sector is undergoing significant transformation, powered by new technologies, evolving guest expectations, and a renewed focus on direct booking and operational efficiency. PhocusWire delivers the latest hotel industry news, covering the strategies and innovations shaping the future of global hospitality.

Hotel chain developments, hospitality trends, and market shifts

Stay updated on how hotel brands are expanding, restructuring, and embracing digital platforms to elevate the guest experience. From contactless check-in and AI-powered pricing to loyalty evolution and branded residential offerings, our coverage tracks the industry’s response to changing demand and competitive pressure.

Following the Tax Trail Through a Complex Booking Chain
Event / Online
Following the Tax Trail Through a Complex Booking Chain
December 2, 2026
Explore tax compliance gaps in hotel distribution, how to prepare for audits and what AI-driven bookings mean for tax obligations in this free webinar from PhocusWire and Avalara. Register Now
Big prospects, few bookings: Travel execs weigh in on personal AI assistants
News / Technology
Big prospects, few bookings: Travel execs weigh in on personal AI assistants
By Cathy Walsh | November 12, 2026
During quarterly earnings calls, travel industry leaders weighed the early impact of emerging AI agents, including Meta's Muse and Instinct, and their implications for travel distribution. Read More
Beyond ADR and RevPAR: A more complete view of hotel performance
From Our Partners / Online
Beyond ADR and RevPAR: A more complete view of hotel performance
By Akshath Dhar | November 11, 2026
Hotels can look beyond occupancy, ADR and RevPAR with forward-looking metrics that reveal profitability, demand trends, market position and partner performance. Read More
Brand loyalty retains influence as personal AI agents take on travel booking
News / Technology
Brand loyalty retains influence as personal AI agents take on travel booking
By Cathy Walsh | November 10, 2026
Research from Propellic analyzes travel booking requests in Muse and Instinct to uncover what influences outcomes and why travelers may be reluctant to hand over control. Read More
Latin America hit a travel record, but read the fine print
News / Online
Latin America hit a travel record, but read the fine print
By Phocuswright Research | November 10, 2026
Latin America posted its biggest travel year on record, but roughly half of that growth came from stronger currencies, not more travelers. Read More
Startup Stage: Visaible wants to help hotels improve AI search visibility
Interview / Startups
Startup Stage: Visaible wants to help hotels improve AI search visibility
By Cathy Walsh | November 9, 2026
The startup uses AI agents to monitor hotel visibility in AI-generated travel recommendations and implement improvements. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: Abra Hospitality
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: Abra Hospitality
By PhocusWire | November 9, 2026
Abra Hospitality is a guest intelligence platform that helps hotels personalize service. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: Fikäfi
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: Fikäfi
By PhocusWire | November 9, 2026
Singapore-based Fikäfi helps hotels automate payments and recover bookings. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: Flae Robotics
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: Flae Robotics
By PhocusWire | November 9, 2026
Flae Robotics builds an AI receptionist for hotels that handles guest communication by email, WhatsApp and phone. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: Folio
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: Folio
By PhocusWire | November 9, 2026
Folio is a financial operations platform for hotels. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: NeoTrip
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: NeoTrip
By PhocusWire | November 9, 2026
NeoTrip is building AI infrastructure for hotels, consolidating and automating distribution, marketing and guest service. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: Odessia
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: Odessia
By PhocusWire | November 9, 2026
Odessia is a travel and experience AI agent that plans and books trips through chat. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: OneJourney
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: OneJourney
By PhocusWire | November 9, 2026
OneJourney is an embedded-payments platform for independent hotels. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: Rove
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: Rove
By PhocusWire | November 9, 2026
Rove is a travel rewards platform that lets users earn and redeem airline miles on travel, shopping and dining. Read More
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: SPUN
Interview / Startups
Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2027: SPUN
By PhocusWire | November 9, 2026
SPUN is an AI-powered visa application platform. Read More
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